Name: Easy Apple Crisp Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 large apples, 2½ pounds, peeled, cored, and chopped into ¾-inch pieces; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ¾ cup whole rolled oats; ½ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; ½ cup brown sugar; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, 1 stick, cubed, plus more for the pan

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 142 reviews

If you’re craving a comforting dessert that’s ridiculously easy to whip up, you’re going to adore this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time—the apples get perfectly tender and juicy, while the crunchy oat topping is just heavenly. Whether you’re baking for a casual weeknight treat or impressing guests, this recipe will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds!). Let me walk you through all the tips, tricks, and secrets to make sure you nail this one in your own kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and basic fresh apples for easy shopping and prep.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The lemon juice and spices bring out the bright, warm apple taste you’ll want every time.
Crispy Topping That’s Just Right: Oats and butter combine for a crunchy, golden finish you can’t resist.
Crowd-Pleaser Every Time: My family goes crazy for this recipe, and I bet yours will too!

A white bowl holds three main layers: the bottom layer is golden brown cooked apple pieces with a soft texture, the middle layer is a crumbly oat and brown sugar topping with a rough texture, and the top layer is a large round scoop of smooth white vanilla ice cream slowly melting over the warm fruit and crumbs. A metal spoon rests inside the bowl, partially scooping up the apple crumble. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Apple Crisp, apple crisp dessert, quick apple crisp, healthy apple crisp, easy apple crisp recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe comes from combining juicy apples with a buttery oat topping that crisps up beautifully in the oven. Choosing the right apples and fresh spices really makes a difference, and there’s a little trick with the flour that helps thicken the fruit juices perfectly without making it soggy.

Flat lay of peeled and chopped large apples in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of brown sugar, a small white bowl with fresh lemon juice, a small white bowl with vanilla extract, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of sea salt, whole rolled oats in a simple white ceramic bowl, cold unsalted butter cut into small cubes on a white ceramic plate, and two whole uncracked brown eggs arranged in perfect symmetry placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Easy Apple Crisp, apple crisp dessert, quick apple crisp, healthy apple crisp, easy apple crisp recipe

Apples: I prefer tart, firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp so they hold their shape and bring a nice tang.
All-purpose flour: Used in both the apple mixture and the topping to help thicken and crisp things up.
Brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
Lemon juice: Brightens the apple flavor and prevents browning.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch to deepen the flavor profile.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic warm spices that pair perfectly with apples.
Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Rolled oats: For that irresistible crisp texture on top.
Cold unsalted butter: Cubed and worked into the topping for that flaky, crumbly finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe, and I encourage you to make it your own! Sometimes I swap the apples for pears or add nuts for extra crunch, and each twist brings something new to the table.

Adding chopped walnuts or pecans: My family loves the crunchy texture this brings to the topping — especially with a little extra cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Using gluten-free flour: If you’re gluten-sensitive, I’ve found that a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend works wonderfully in both the apple mixture and the topping.
Mixing apple varieties: I like combining tart Granny Smith with sweeter Fuji apples for a more complex flavor and texture.
Spiced up with ginger or cloves: For a holiday spin, I add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves along with the cinnamon and nutmeg.

How to Make Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Apples Just Right

Peeling and chopping the apples into uniform ¾-inch pieces is key so everything cooks evenly. Toss them with a bit of flour and brown sugar—this helps the apples thicken up while baking and makes them extra juicy. Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice here; it brightens the apples and stops them from turning brown while you prep the rest. Mix in your vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then spread this fruity goodness in a buttered 8×8-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Whip Up That Crunchy Topping

In another bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Here’s my favorite part—work cold cubed butter into the mix using two forks or your fingertips until it looks crumbly, almost like coarse meal. This technique is what makes the topping so irresistibly crisp and buttery after baking. Sprinkle that mixture evenly over your apples, covering every bit.

Step 3: Bake and Reveal Your Delicious Apple Crisp

Start by covering the baking dish with foil to keep the apples juicy as they soften. Bake at 375°F for about 35-40 minutes until you see the apples bubbling. Then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to get the topping golden and crisp. The smell? Absolutely heavenly. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before diving in—this resting time helps the juices thicken up so your crisp isn’t runny.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Choosing Your Apples: I’ve learned that a mix of tart and sweet apples creates a brighter, more complex flavor that everyone notices.
Cold Butter Is Key: Keeping the butter cold until you’re ready to mix it in gives you that perfect crumbly texture for the topping.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the crisp cool before serving helps the filling thicken up beautifully—patience pays off.
Avoid Overmixing the Topping: Mixing too much can melt the butter early and make it soggy instead of crispy.

How to Serve Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream—the contrast of warm and cold makes it feel extra special. Sometimes a sprinkle of toasted nuts or a drizzle of caramel sauce takes it to the next level, especially for celebrations.

Side Dishes

If I’m serving this for a cozy fall dinner, I’ll pair the apple crisp with simple roasted chicken or pork chops. The sweet and tart dessert is a perfect way to finish off a savory meal without feeling too heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve baked this apple crisp in individual ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets to give guests their own personal dessert. It makes serving easy and feels a little fancy! I even like to sprinkle some festive cinnamon sugar on top for holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store them in the fridge. The flavors actually mellow and blend nicely overnight. It keeps well for about 3 to 4 days, and I love grabbing a quick second helping straight from the fridge or reheated.

Freezing

I’ve frozen baked apple crisp successfully by wrapping it tightly in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe container. When thawed overnight in the fridge, the texture stays surprisingly good—it’s a great make-ahead dessert for busy weeks.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds or pop the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and the topping crisps up again. This way, it tastes almost as fresh as the first time!

FAQs

What kind of apples are best for this Easy Apple Crisp Recipe?

I recommend using firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and acidity, which makes the dessert more flavorful and less mushy.
Can I make this apple crisp gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the oats you use are certified gluten-free as well. The crisp will still turn out delicious and crunchy.
How do I prevent the topping from getting soggy?

Using cold butter and working it into dry ingredients without overmixing helps create a crumbly texture that crisps well. Also, covering the crisp for the first part of baking keeps the apples from drying out but removing the cover towards the end lets the topping brown nicely.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the apple crisp completely and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s straight from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Apple Crisp Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it combines simple ingredients with comforting flavors that everyone loves. I remember the first time I made it — the smell filled the whole house and the first bite was pure joy. It’s perfect for those cozy evenings when you want a quick dessert that feels like a warm hug. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing this as much as I do, and I can’t wait to hear how it becomes part of your family’s favorites too!